Untitled

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 437, 9 June 1902, Page 2

Mr James,, Maefa. aie left for \an couver and Unit d Slates,on Saturday.

There was a great crowd at the Empire Skating Rink on Saturday night, both of skaters and spectators, and in the afternoon there was a like experience, showing t-liat skating continues to increase in popularity. Messrs P. StephensTand Co.’s unro served sale, through Messrs W.yilie aud Maaon, at tic labor's auction mart," commenced on Saturday, and will bo continued at 11 a.in. to-day. Messrs Stephens and Co. purchased the stock at 8s 9d in the £, and the auctioneers ha've been instructed to dispose of the whole, without reserve.

“ The Devil of Our Time, or the Late Parnell Tragedy” formed the subject of the Rev. J. G. Paterson’s lecture last evening. The rev. gentleman, in the course of an able address referred to the eviis of drink, both to the nation and the individual. There was a crowded congregation, and the preacher was most attentively listened to. In making the notification that Juiy 16th, being Arbor Day, will bo observed as a holiday, Sir Joseph Ward expresses the hopo that the mayors and chairmen of local bodies will place the matter prominently before tbo peoplo of the colony, and do all they can to, encourage the planting of publio reserves and other available lands, both public and private, with trees suited to the locality.

The thanksgiving service held at St, Andrew’s Church yesterday morning, was largely attended, the building being crowded to the doors. The Gisborne Rifies, under Captain Warren and Lieut. Lewis, paraded at the Drill Shed at hallpast ten, and headed by the Rifies Band, marched to the Church. An excellent sermon was preached by the Rev. J. G. Paterson, and the musical portion of the service, under Mr Massey, was specially attractive. *

The theoretical examination in connection with Trinity College, London, was held in the Catholic schoolroom on Saturday. Thirteen candidates sat for examiuation, viz., one senior honors, two intermediate honors, two intermediate passes, aud eight junior passes, all Convent pupils except one junior pass prepared by Mr 0. East. Mr J. Towulsy broke the seal in the presence of the local secretary and Mr R, N. Jones, who distributed the papers. At the close of the examination the same gentlemen sealed the packets containing the examination papers,

The young man Walter Crisp, who who was f brought in to the Hospital a iorUiiglttlor so ago, died at 2 o’clock on Saturday afternoon. He fell from a bullock?dray at Mangatu, the wheel passing over his body, and inflicting internal injuries which caused him great pain. All that could possibly be done for him at the Hosp tal was done, but the injuries were of such a terrible nature that his ease was almost hopeless from the first. He was a fine young fellow, and his untimely end was indeed very sad. He had not many friends in the colony.

The services at Holy Trinity Church yesterday were of a specially attractive character, and were attended by large congregations. In the morning a thanksgiving service in commemoration of the declaration of peace was held, and an appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev. Welsh. The afternoon service, held by Mr H. M. Goocb, who is visiting the colony in tho interests of the Young People’s Scripture Union, was largely attended, and the claims of the mission were ably stated by the preacher, who urged upon the congregation to give their hearty support towards the movement. Tho sermon in the evening was preached by the Kev. J. W. Chatter-lon, and had special reference to the Maoti mission, to which the collections of the day were devoted. The rev. gentleman, in the course of a very able sermon, showed the excellent work that was being done by the Maori clergy, who were, he said, at present working under very adverse circumstances. He pointed out that the Maori Ministers received only ;£4O per year by way of stipend, and their work was of an exceedingly arduous character. The preacher spoke of tho want of knowledge on the part of European congregations as to the native churches in their district, and deplored the fact that little or no interest was taken by the majority of the Europeans in tho spiritual welfare of the Maori. The natives were ignored by the white people, and were not even invited to join in the social gatherings held by church people from time to time. He urged his hearers to bo more sympathetic towards the Maori mission work, and to do all in thoir power to create and promote tt better state of affaire.

Flags for the Coronation may be obtained at;Mr J. Jeime’s shop from the small price of iourpeute up to ill. On Saturday evening last the Auckland Trades Council hold an open air public meeting to urge upon the Government the desirability of nationalising tioar and other fond trusts. Also to b:ing before I'uo public of Auckland the necessity for the establishment of a co-operative bnkuy. With a view to pursue agitation for the speedy coast:ucti.n of the Trunk railway north and south of Auckland, subscription 1 sts have b-.cn started by members if the Prune 1 of the North Island Main Trunk Railway L'ague, several of whom pledge themselves to give half yearly subscriptions. The Waikato Argus states that the Government have determined to reconstruct the Hamilton railway biidgo by the sinking of adiitionsl cylinders and the putting on of a new top structure Oft wider than at present, at a cost of TIB,OO. The present bridge is found to oscillate to such an extent that the large express engines are forbidden to cross.

The Hon. J. Carroll says that be has no anxiety fir the Maoris whether licenses are granted in the King Country or not, because under the new legislation the natives have power to prevent drunkenness or the .bringing of liquor into their communities ; and moreover on the whole they are becoming more temperate every day.

The Hon. Hail Jones received a deputation at 'Wellington consisting of five representatives of the Stationary, Traction, and Locomotive Drivers’ Union, complaining that uncortificated men are being employed driving engines of 15 horse power and over, and suggesting an amendment of the law, so as' to require certificated drivers for engines of four horse power and upwards. The Hon. Hail-Jones said ho was not aware of any instance where the law was not enforced regarding drivers of engines of 15 horse power and over. He would consider a suggestion that policemen be allowed to perform tiio duties of inspectors. He behoved the immunity of this colony from boiler explosions was attributed "to the care shown by the inspectors. Now that the war has ended, and British soveioiguly over Boor aud Orange territory is acknowledged, we must concede to our recent foes that they have fought bravely and courageously against desperate odds. It would be churlish to deny them this honor. Also, it would be •i poor compliment to our own brave troops to depreciate the splendid fighting qualities and intrepid exploits of the Boer forces opposed to them. Well may the London Standard speak of them as' the most valiant adversaries wo have ever encountered, for this i 3 unquestionably the fact. Certainly, they bad the advantage of the fighting ground, but the history of warfare furnishes in parallel to the heroism of those 60,000 or 30,000 people who have stubbornly, for the last three years, contested the battle-fields of South Africa inch by- inch with the greatest and wealthiest nation in the world.—Observer. On the liquor question, wo give Mr Lawry credit for sincerity and conscientiousness. He speaks what ho honestly believes. But wo are satisfied that if he bad seen the Sunday trading system in operation in London, as wo have, he would not attempt to introduce it into New Zealand. It is impossible to witness the effects of the Sunday trading system in London without coining to the conclusion that they contribute largely to the sum total of London’s squalor, misery, and poverty. In the suburbs may be seen streams of well-dressed men and women making straight from the churohes to the hotels, Biblo or prayer-book in hand, in order to refresh themselves, The spectacle of a well-dressed woman in an hotel bar in Now Zealand is an uncommon one, but in certain of the London suburbs women fairly crowd the bars after church on Sundays, with results that too often make themselves manifest in a deplorable manner. We shall make a disastrous mistake if we ever adopt the English system of opening our hotels on Sundays. —Observer.

Many of the troopers whig set out from our shores during the last few years in the full flush of young manhood’s strength have returned to us maimed, crippled and completely broken in health. What aie we going to do for them ? The ease is not one that can be met with paltry pensions or charitable homes ? For the most part these young men are able and anxious to earn their own living, if light and suitable employment is found for them, and we hold that it is the duty of the country to furnish this employment at once. There aro many positions in the public service that they are competent to fill, and, whatever may be the claims of others, we think they have a prior right to consideration. They have sacrificed health, strength and even limbs in their country’s service, and it should be the highest privilege of their country to provide for them in return. Parliament meets within the next four weeks, and before the ordinary business of the session is commenced the claims of these returned troopers should be taken into consideration.—Observer. Bartley, the man killed on the Auckland railway line, was seen picking docks in Boston road on the previous evening by a young man named Edwin Hedley, and it is supposed that he went to sleep on the

railway lino, and was run over by the 4 a.m. train to Helensville. It is evident that he was not killed that night, as rigor mortis had not set in when the body was found. He leaves a widow and several children. Bartley (says the Star) was one of the class for whom, unfortunately, there is no adequate provision in Auckland. Though sound in body and capablo of light work, he was very feeble in intellect, though perfectly harmless. He was examined by two doctors last week, the conclusion arrived at being that he was not sufficiently insane to be committed to the asylum. He was recently almitted to the Costley Home, but remained there only two hours, and then refused to return. For the last couple of days ho has been wandering about the city, and his friends have been vainly searching for him.

Some time ago the West Pukekohe Boad Board entered a claim against the Mauku Boad Board regarding contribution for the cost of repairing the Puke-kohe-Mauku Boad. Mr W. T. Short was appointed Special Commissioner to inquire into the matter. He has reported to His Excellency Lord Banfurly that he cannot recommend the apportioning of the cost of maintenance. He found that 400 tons a year represented the heavy traffic passing over the road in question, in respect to which Pukekohe derives no benefit whatever. He estimates the damage caused by such traffic at from £lO to ,£ls a year. If that traffic was to be paid for he considered it was more equitable that it should be by the persons engaged in such traffic, rather than the whole of Mauku. Mr Short adds, however : “It is impossible to ascertain what profit the Pukekohe township makes out of the trade with Mauku, but as the trade is considerable, the profits are, I assume, in proportion, and this is all owing to the fact that Pukekohe is a suitable railway centre and market town, and it might therefore, I think, let this heavy traffic pass without payment.” With reference to certain complaints made by the recently-returned members of the Sixth Contingent as to arrears of pay duo to them, Mr G. Fowlds, M.H.8., telegraphed to the Hon. Hall-Jones about the matter, and received the following reply: “In reply to your telegram re members of the Sixth Contingent said to be stranded : This is strange, seeing that each man was paid one month’s furlough on arrival in the colony, and they have not yet been here a month. It is tedious work balancing up their accounts, but will have this completed as early as possible,” Mr Fowlds then sent a wire asking if It w-ould not be possible to make the men a temporary advance, and received the following answer:—“ Pay already received by troopers is advanced pay, and until accounts are properly made out a further advance might result in their being overpaid. Experience has shown that these things have got to be done systematically. There is delay, I admit, it is caused entirely by the large number of men to be dealt with, I will endeavor to get any balances due to the men before the expiration of the month for which pay has been advanced.”